Allison Aubrey, an NPR health correspondent, teams up with Judith Moskowitz, a research psychologist at Northwestern University, to tackle the challenge of stress management. They share practical, research-backed techniques to enhance emotional well-being, emphasizing the power of gratitude, mindfulness, and cultivating joy in daily life. The conversation highlights the importance of recognizing positive moments and practicing self-compassion. With personal anecdotes sprinkled throughout, listeners are inspired to reclaim their calm and build resilience.
Practicing gratitude and savoring positive events can significantly boost well-being and help manage everyday stress effectively.
Mindfulness techniques encourage present-moment awareness, allowing individuals to enhance their capacity to cope with stress and improve overall quality of life.
Deep dives
Managing Stress Effectively
Eliminating stress is unrealistic, but effectively managing it can significantly impact one's well-being. Judith Moskowitz, a research psychologist, emphasizes that skills for handling stress can work in any situation, helping individuals cultivate more joy. Through her research, she has shown that these techniques are beneficial for people facing various challenges, from chronic illness to caregiving situations. By practicing these strategies, individuals can create an upward spiral of increased positive emotion that aids in coping with stress.
The Power of Noticing and Savoring
A key technique for managing stress is to spend more time noticing and savoring positive events in daily life. This could involve appreciating small pleasures, such as a good cup of coffee or an unexpected gift from a neighbor, which helps boost feelings of gratitude and joy. Savoring these moments not only amplifies the positive emotions associated with them but also counters the physiological stress response by engaging the body’s parasympathetic nervous system. By practicing this technique regularly, individuals can enhance their overall capacity to cope with stress.
Cultivating Gratitude and Mindfulness
Practicing gratitude has been linked to numerous benefits, including improved physical health and increased longevity. Studies show that individuals who express gratitude regularly tend to experience enhanced well-being, making this an essential skill in stress management. Additionally, mindfulness encourages individuals to connect with the present moment, helping them to slow down and appreciate their experiences without judgment. Together, these practices provide a powerful framework for navigating stress and enhancing one's quality of life.
Are you feeling overwhelmed by your to-do list? Going through something really tough? Stress is a part of life — but we can learn to manage it. NPR health correspondent Allison Aubrey shares evidence-based skills from a research psychologist at Northwestern University aimed to bring more ease into your life. This episode is Part 1 of the new series, Stress Less: A Quest to Reclaim Your Calm. Click here to sign up for a month-long newsletter on this topic.